Venice Police Department Blue Santa Boxes are available through Dec. 17
’Tis the season to spread cheer and gratitude! Venice Police Department Blue Santa Donation Boxes are now available at 13 locations throughout the City and surrounding areas until Dec. 17. Your generosity helps VPD’s Blue Santa Program support more than 115 local families and 250–400 children each year with food, clothing, toys, toiletries, and more.
Families are identified through local Venice-area schools and are often facing food insecurity or other hardships during the holiday season. In addition to toys, each family receives a gift card from Detwiler’s Farm Market to purchase Christmas breakfast or dinner. All families are vetted, kept confidential, and connected through Venice-area schools. Gifts and gift cards are then picked up from a designated City facility on event day.
Donation boxes are available now until Dec. 17, at the following locations:
- Venice Police Department lobby, 1575 E. Venice Ave, Venice
- City Hall lobby, 401 W. Venice Ave, Venice
- Driftwood Kennels, 800 Laurel Rd E, Nokomis
- Venice Institute of Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave building 5, Venice
- American Imports Automotive, 548 E Venice Ave, Venice
- Venetian Golf and River Club, 502 Veneto Blvd, Venice
- Venice Yacht Club, 1330 Tarpon Center Drive, Venice
- Venice Pier Group, 205 Base Ave E, Venice,
- Sharky’s on Pier, 1600 Harbor Dr S, Venice
- Gemini Apparel, 105 Triple Diamond Blvd STE 103, Nokomis
- Sallapudi Orthodontics, 140 Indian Ave, Venice
- Made in Italy, 117 W. Venice Ave, Venice
- Dockside Waterfront Grill, 509 N. Tamiami Trail, Venice
VPD’s Blue Santa Program began in 1985, when a small group of Venice Police Officers and their families noticed that some households they encountered on calls were unable to provide gifts for their children on Christmas Day. Wanting to help, officers purchased, wrapped, and personally delivered toys to families in need. Today, that tradition has grown into a cherished community effort, one that helps local families and ensures every child can experience a joyful, magical holiday.
See this link for photos from the 2024 Blue Santa.